Telecommunication Technology: Issues and Trends In West Africa

An industry research conducted by Pyramid research team has revealed that Nigeria’s telecommunications market will generate over $11 billion at the tail end of 2019. The projection also unveiled that that the number of mobile subscribers in the country may hit 182 million by that date. Underscoring the resilience of the sector, it stated: “political instability and low oil prices have led to a depreciation of the naira against the dollar, but the telecommunications market will remain an integral part of the country’s efforts to diversify its sources of growth.” The $11 billion figure represents a jump of over $3 billion from what the sector generated in 2013, thereby sign-posting it as one of fastest growing economic sectors in the continent. The disclosure was contained in the second quarter, April-June publication of the Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC) industry review and analyses

Why am I so optimistic about the prospects of a wireless Internet boom in Nigeria? In my last post, I have already talked about the Nigerian spirit, his doggedness, his aptitude and hard work and his zeal to bootstrap himself out of poverty. This is a major driving force. Needless to say that the internet boom itself translate to a lot of wealth creation and poverty reduction. Once we have a low total cost of ownership for both the terminal devices and a broadband internet connection, the Nigerian market will experience a boom. In addition to this I am looking at some policy frameworks that are ongoing; the e-payment system by the government and the e-solutions the banks and other financial institutions are introducing. The NCC has also put together a robust regulatory framework to this regard and is pushing for an internet for all schemes. What remains now is to accelerate this processes in addition to a strong legal framework so that if you 419 me through the e-system I can sue your ...

In pursuit of my argument last week in favor of new investment in Value Addition in the West African Telecoms market with emphasis on Nigeria, it is my goal today to look at the uniqueness of the Nigerian Market itself. Nigerian itself is a unique Country. By virtue of all that has happened and is still happening, we should have been a banana republic by now, but it hasn’t happened and that in itself is a marvel. How come a nation of over 140 Million people without power supply without effective government, without health facilities, roads , discernable transport system, failed education system etc…. and the list goes on, including endemic corruption; still exist as an somewhat organized society with effective economic activities and commerce? I don’t pretend to have answers to these questions. But from hindsight, I intend to provide what I know, with the hope that the reader may understand why this state still crawls on. Now, the average Nigerian is a resilient personality, hardworkin...